Rand Paul supports opening up relations with Cuba

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says he supports opening up relations with Cuba, a position that that puts him at odds with much of the would-be Republican presidential field.

“The 50-year embargo just hasn’t worked,” Paul told Tom Roten of WVHU in Huntington, West Virginia on Thursday, according to the Associated Press. “If the goal is regime change, it sure doesn’t seem to be working and probably it punishes the people more than the regime because the regime can blame the embargo for hardship.”

He added: “In the end, I think opening up Cuba is probably a good idea.”

President Obama announced Wednesday that the United States would reopen its embassy in Havana and ease restrictions on travel and commerce with Cuba.